Kodansha Comics Announces Seven New Manga Licenses

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March 24, 2016

Kodansha Comics Announces Seven New Manga Licenses

Kodansha Comics has announced several new manga licenses. All of these titles are currently scheduled to begin release in North America this year. They will all be available in print.

Sweetness and Lightning was announced first. The first volume of Gido Amagakure’s manga series will be released on July 1, 2016.

The second title announced was Kyokou Suiri. Kyo Shirodaira, creator of Spiral, Record of a Fallen Vampire and Blast of Tempest, wrote the story and Chasiba Katase provided the artwork. The series has been given the tentative English title of In/Spectre. The first volume will be released in the Fall.

Watashi no Ookami-kun was the third title announced. Yoko Nogiri’s manga series will begin release this Fall. It has been given the tentative English title of That Wolf-Boy Is Mine!.

The fourth title announced was Welcome to the Ballroom. The first volume of Tomo Takeuchi’s manga series will be released this Fall.

The Prince in His Dark Days was the fifth title announced. The first volume of Hiko Yamanaka’s manga series will be released this Fall. The English title is tentative.

The sixth title announced was Hataraku Saibo. The first volume of Akane Shimizu’s manga series will be released this Fall. It has the tentative English title of Cells at Work!.

Finally, Attach on Titan: Lost Girls was announced. This spinoff manga, written by Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama, will be released this summer.

Viz Media Announces Live-Action Content Development Partnership

K. Roberts

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March 24, 2016

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Viz Media has partnered with global talent and literary agency United Talent Agency (UTA) to develop live-action content based on Viz Media’s licensed anime and manga. Viz Media was established in 1986 and has licensed many of the most popular Japanese series and franchises since then. This includes titles such as Death Note, Naruto, the One Piece manga and both anime adaptations on Sailor Moon, as well as several other popular titles.

There has been increased interest in Japanese popular culture and entertainment in recent years, from places such as Hollywood, international film studio communities and the television broadcast industry. Co-Head of UTA Howie Sanders states that this partnership will “push the boundaries of storytelling, innovation and character”.

MARVEL BATTLEGROUNDS PLAY SET FEATURING ALL-NEW FOUR-PLAYER, BRAWLER STYLE GAMEPLAY LAUNCHES TODAY FOR DISNEY INFINITY 3.0 (AUS/NZ)

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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March 24, 2016

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MARVEL BATTLEGROUNDS PLAY SET FEATURING ALL-NEW FOUR-PLAYER, BRAWLER STYLE GAMEPLAY LAUNCHES TODAY FOR DISNEY INFINITY 3.0 (AUS/NZ)

New Playable Characters from Marvel, Disney and Star Wars Also Available

MELBOURNE, Aust. – (March 24, 2016) – Today, Disney Interactive and Marvel releases in Australia/NZ the Marvel Battlegrounds Play Set for Disney Infinity 3.0, the No. 1 video game of 2014 and 2015 in the “toys-to-life” category, according to the US NPD Group. Developed by United Front Games, in partnership with Avalanche Software, Marvel Battlegrounds is the first Disney Infinity Play Set to introduce a new four-player, local co-op, brawler style gameplay. The Play Set features an original Marvel storyline and full compatibility for all Disney Infinity 2.0 and 3.0 Marvel figures, including new characters, Captain America – The First Avenger, Ant-Man, and Black Panther, whose costumes are inspired by the upcoming film Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War.”

“We’re providing our fans a brand new way to play Disney Infinity with Marvel Battlegrounds,” said John Blackburn, SVP & General Manager, Disney Infinity. “The Play Set’s four-player brawler style combat gameplay and wide selection of Marvel characters makes it the ultimate family game and a great way to experience some of the characters that appear in the upcoming blockbuster film, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War.”

In addition to Captain America – The First Avenger, who is included in the Play Set pack, Hulkbuster, Ultron and Black Suit Spider-Man are also now available, along with other Marvel characters including: Ant-Man, who shrinks to the size of an ant but increases his strength to pack a whopping punch; Black Panther, the leader of Wakanda who defends his homeland utilizing acrobatic skills, increased agility, and legendary claws made from Vibranium, and Vision, a brave and noble synthetic warrior who will fight to bring peace to the world.

“Marvel Battlegrounds continues Marvel’s history as a leader in the family gaming category,” said Peter Phillips, EVP and General Manager, Interactive & Digital Distribution at Marvel Entertainment. “This innovative new Play Set gives families a new way to play together via a battle brewing across the Marvel Universe, starring an epic roster of our most popular Super Heroes and Super Villains.”

In addition, a new Marvel Battlegrounds Power Disc Pack will be sold separately and includes:

Cosmic Cube Blast – Unleash a powerful energy blast on nearby foes
Darkhawk’s Blast – Blast obstacles with a powerful energy beam from your chest
Nova Corps Strike – Call upon the Nova Corps to unleash a tactical strike from above
Ghost Rider’s Motorcycle – Take a ride on the wild side with Ghost Rider’s flaming motorcycle

A full Australia and New Zealand asset set for this announcement–including new screens, poster art and figure art–is available to download from here. (Link valid for 7 days.)

All Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes characters and round Power Discs are fully compatible with the Play Set. Marvel Battlegrounds is available for a suggested retail price of $34.95 AUD/$44.99 NZD. Each Marvel character figure (RRP: $17.95 AUD/$24.99 NZD each) and the Marvel Battlegrounds themed Power Disc Pack (RRP: $11.95 AUD/$15.99 NZD) are sold separately. The Play Set requires the latest Disney Infinity software update in order to play. Software updates require Internet connection.

In the original storyline of Marvel Battlegrounds, Ultron teams up with Loki in an effort to steal Wakanda’s most valuable resource, Vibranium. Captain America, along with the universe’s greatest Super Heroes, leap into action but before they can uncover Loki’s plans for the precious metal, their nemesis creates robotic replicas of the famed Marvel Super Heroes and turn them against each other. The Marvel Super Heroes battle each other in iconic environments such as a wrecked Brooklyn train yard, Wakanda mines and S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Lunar Base, culminating in a universe-shaking battle against Ultron. Players engage in the ultimate rumble and choose from more than 25 Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains, and battle through 12 levels across eight dynamic arenas.

Additional characters available for Disney Infinity:

Baloo – The beloved bear from Disney’s The Jungle Book is available at a suggested retail price of $17.95 AUD/$24.99 NZD. Playable in the Toy Box, Baloo loves to dance around the jungle and protects his friends by tossing fruit.

Kylo Ren Light FX – The Kylo Ren Light FX figure is also available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of $22.95 AUD/$34.99 NZD.

About Disney Infinity

Disney Infinity is an interactive gaming platform where players have unprecedented freedom and endless opportunity to create stories and play experiences starring the beloved characters from across The Walt Disney Company. Building on the success of Disney Infinity 1.0 and 2.0, Disney Interactive launched its latest installment to the best-selling “hybrid toy/video game” this year — Disney Infinity 3.0. In its third iteration, players will utilise real-world interactive figures to activate original storylines (Play Sets) in the virtual game worlds of popular Star Wars franchises and create new adventures with a variety of characters from Marvel, The Walt Disney Co. and Disney•Pixar properties in the Toy Box mode. Disney Infinity 3.0 is rated PG for online interactivity and mild violence. For more information, visit Disney.com/Infinity.

For additional information, please visit www.disney.com/infinity and www.youtube.com/disneyinfinity, join the Disney Infinity Facebook community (Facebook.com/disneyinfinity) and Google+ community (https://plus.google.com/+DisneyInfinity), and follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/disneyinfinity) and Instagram (instagram.com/disneyinfinity).

About Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media

Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that brings our Company’s stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences across more than 100 categories, from toys and t-shirts, to apps, books and console games. DCPI comprises two main lines of business: Disney Consumer Products (DCP), and Disney Interactive (DI). The combined segment is home to world class teams of app and game developers, licensing and retail experts, a leading retail business (Disney Store), artists and storytellers, and technologists who inspire imaginations around the world.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilises its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2016 MARVEL

Play Facebook Messenger Basketball Now

Nathan Farrugia

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March 24, 2016

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We cover all types of games both big and small at Capsule Computers and here is a game which has wasted a lot of both my friends and my time lately, Facebook Messenger Basketball.

The game itself is very simple, you use your finger to flick the ball into the hoop, but it’s a lot more challenging than it sounds trust me. The ball moves to a new position along the bottom of the screen each time and at 10 points the hoop will start moving left to right. For every additional 10 points you get the hoop will start moving even faster. When you’re finished playing your best score in that session will be posted for all in the chat to see, where you will be told you either suck or that you have too much time on your hands.

To play Messenger Basketball, you or your friends must use the Basketball emoji in a messenger chat on a mobile device (sorry PC users). Then simply tap on it and the game will start. Make sure you have the latest version of Facebook Messenger from the App Store or Google Play Store. If you do have the latest version and the option to play still doesn’t appear unfortunately your phone might be a little too old to support the game.

I personally like to use my index or middle finger for a little extra accuracy. My current high score is 24 but one of my friends has 34 so see if you can beat that. Let us know your shooting methods and high scores in the comments below.

This isn’t actually the first game you can play on Facebook Messenger. You can also play Chess with a friend however the method to do so is a lot more complicated requiring specific syntax to be typed in. @fbchess play will get you started in a chat with one other person and from there the instructions should be enough to get you going.

Stranger of Sword City PS Vita Story Trailer Released

Travis Bruno

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March 24, 2016

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Stranger of Sword City PS Vita Story Trailer Released

NIS America has released their own official story trailer for the PS Vita version of Stranger of Sword City which they will be releasing in April. This focuses on introducing players to how they ended up in the strange land of Escario. After being the sole survivor of a plane crash, players awaken in a mysterious world where they are called the Chosen One.

With players being able to handle Blood Crystals, powerful items dropped from Lineage monsters, they will need to choose their allegiances very carefully while searching for a way back home. You can check out the video below and if you wish to pick up the game, it is currently available digitally for the Xbox One in North America and will be released on March 29th in Europe for the console, while the PS Vita version handled by NIS America will arrive on April 26th in North America and April 29th in Europe.

Trillion: God of Destruction Opening Movie Shown Off

Travis Bruno

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March 24, 2016

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Now that we are a little under a week away from Trillion: God of Destruction‘s Western release Idea Factory International has decided to release the opening movie for the game to give fans a little taste of what to expect. The opening video lasts nearly two and a half minutes and primarily highlights Zeabolos, Faust, the six Overlords that will be joining you, and of course the rest of the various denizens that players will encounter in the Underworld.

You can check out the video below and keep an eye out for the game when it is released for the PS Vita next week, both at retail and digitally, on March 29th in North America and April 1st in Europe.

Dark Souls III Launch Trailer Released

Travis Bruno

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March 24, 2016

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Although fans in the West have to wait until mid-April to get their hands on Dark Souls III, gamers in Japan will be able to pick up the title this week when it is released this Thursday on March 24th. As such, Bandai Namco and From Software have released the official launch trailer for Dark Souls III to match with that launch. Though the launch trailer is for the Japanese version of the game, it is presented in English.

You can check out the video below and try to tide yourselves over until Dark Souls III is released in the West for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on April 12th.

Experience to Announce New Titles at 10th Anniversary Event Set for May 1

Travis Bruno

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March 24, 2016

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Experience, Inc., the developers behind dungeon crawlers such as Demon Gaze and Stranger of Sword City, have announced that they will be holding a 10th anniversary commemoration event on May 1st from 17:30 to 19:30 JST at the UDX Gallery in Akihabara, Tokyo.

During this event the company will provide a first look for a few of their newer titles as well as provide information about various projects and upcoming titles. Until then, fans of Experience, Inc.’s works can pick up their latest game, Stranger of Sword City, reviewed here, digitally through the Xbox One while the PS Vita version will be released in late April.

A wild Pikachu appears as Pokémon’s 20-year celebration continues in GAME stores across the UK

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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March 24, 2016

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A wild Pikachu appears as Pokémon’s 20-year celebration continues in GAME stores across the UK

Fans can get a limited-edition Pikachu card as a gift with the purchase of any Pokémon item in-store, only at GAME, from March 25.

London, United Kingdom: March 23, 2016

The Pokémon Company International continues to celebrate 20 years since the first Pokémon video games launched with a special partnership with GAME. From March 25, fans will have the chance to receive a limited-edition foil Pikachu card as a gift with purchase of any Pokémon product in participating GAME stores across the UK, whilst stocks last*.

This highly collectible card, from the new Pokémon Trading Card Game: Generationsexpansion, is a special card featuring Pikachu, marked with the Pokémon 20th logo. It will not be made available anywhere else in the UK.

As part of the partnership, participating stores will feature special Pokémon bays containing some of the latest Pokémon merchandise and some GAME exclusive products including Mew plush, figurines and a range of Pokémon T-shirts from Bioworld. There has never been a better time to be a Pokémon fan.

Be sure to visit Pokemon.co.uk/20 for more information about Pokémon 20, Train On projects and join the conversation using #Pokemon20. Pokémon. Twenty Years. Train On.

*Only one card per customer whilst stocks last

About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit Pokemon.co.uk.

About GAME Retail
GAME Retail is the UK’s leading video games retailer. GAME is committed to delivering for the gaming communities of the UK: online, in-store, on mobile and through its app. With a market-leading reward proposition, incredible exclusive content and great deals, GAME is the number one destination for all gaming needs. For more information, please visit www.game.co.uk or www.gamedigitalplc.com .

20th celebrations continue as Pokémon enters the record books

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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March 23, 2016

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20th celebrations continue as Pokémon enters the record books

UK artist creates epic Pikachu mosaic using 12,987 Pokémon trading cards

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ba_EkwkngGU

London, United Kingdom, 21 March 2016—The Pokémon Company International has partnered with British artist Quentin Devine to create the world’s largest trading card mosaic, consisting of 12,987 individual Pokémon Trading Card Game cards. The massive work of art, measuring 71.54 square metres and hanging at over 10 metres tall and 7 metres wide, was unveiled today in Paris.

The finished mosaic, which secures a new Guinness World Record, forms the image of beloved Pokémon character Pikachu, using the original iconic pose drawn by GAME FREAK illustrator Ken Sugimori.

Anthony Cornish, Marketing Director for The Pokémon Company International, said: “We are incredibly excited to have secured this highly ambitious Guinness World Record, and are thrilled to have worked with renowned artist Quentin Devine to bring the mosaic to life.”

Quentin Devine is an artist, animator and designer from Surrey, England. He has previously created a giant mosaic of the Mona Lisa constructed from fan self-portraits, as well as an image of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland using only penny coins. The mosaic of Pikachu is his biggest creation to date.

About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.co.uk.